Hair trimming device



y 1, 1954 P. E. GARFIELD 2,678,047

HAIR TRIMMING DEVICE Filed Aug. 2, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet r AVVfi/Tw? r/ 4 778/0 PAUL E. 67M 6' 0 May 11, 1954 P. E. GARFIELD HAIR TRIMMING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheen;v 2

Filed Aug. 2, 1950 w W W? r J a 4 29 m M X M 3 W W L 9 y 2a M5 0 2 %.m M

y 11, 1954' P. E. GARFIELD HAIR TRIMMING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 2. 1950 w 5 Mn m M0 M5 m P Patented May 11, 1954 UNITED OFFICE 8 Claims.

My invention relates in general to hair trimming devices, and more particularly to such devices which enable the unskilled operator to trim the edges of hair in a neat gradual taper.

In accordance with my invention a hair trimming device is provided which in its simplest forms consists essentially of a plurality of horizontally disposed rests which are vertically spaced apart and adapted to hold hair thereon for cutting by a vertically descending razor blade or the like. Preferably the rests are provided with edges adapted to cooperate in shear fashion with the blade, and with vertically disposed comb teeth, certain ones of which serve to support the rests in spaced-apart relation and simultaneously to guide the blade from one rest to the next. In some forms of the invention, means are provided to space successively disposed rests at progressively increasing distances from the head, in order that the hair may be neatly tapered as it is out.

The foregoing and other features of my invention will be better understood from the detailed description of certain embodiments thereof which follows. The description refers to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates a hair trimming device constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken along line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged isometric view showing a modification of Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged cross-section taken along line i2l2 in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 illustrates another hair trimming device constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 14 illustrates still another form of the invention embodying features of Figs. 5 and 13;

Fig. 15 illustrates another embodiment of the invention shelf !5.

,30 Fig. 3 illustrates a modification of the device Fig. 16 illustrates still another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 17 is a modification of the device shown in Fig. 16; and

Fig. 18 is another modification of the device shown in Fig. 16.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, a case Iii is provided with two rows of comb teeth H and It. The teeth or" each row are arranged in the usual fashion, but each row lies generally in a separate plane, and the two planes intersect at an acute angle A along a line, not shown, which is parallel with the base ll]. The end teeth It and Id of each row extend beyond the intermediate teeth approximately twice the length of the intermediate teeth. A shelf or platform I5 is supported by these end teeth l3 and It, being attached thereto about half-way between their ends. An intermediate tooth l6 of row H and an intermediate tooth I! of row l2 extend to and furnish additional support for the shelf 15. Mounted along each long edge of the shelf 15 are two additional rows of teeth It and i9, row is lying in the same general plane as row H and row I9 lying in the same general plane as row I2. The base It is conveniently extended beyond the rows of teeth to form a handle 20.

The comb device of the invention which is illustrated in Fig. 1 is intended to be used by placing one plane of teeth, for example the plane containing rows l2 and i9, against the side of the head where the hair is to be tapered. The combs are moved upward until hair projects through teeth l2 and I9, and the longest hairs resting on base Ill and shelf l5 further project through teeth H and 18. These projecting hairs are then easily cut by a vertically descending razor blade or the like. The blade may decend on a bias, and the teeth H and it will keep the hair from slipping sideways on the base It and The extending median tooth it serves to prevent descending razor blade from sliding under the bottom edge of the shelf l5 and becoming caught on the tops of the lower row of teeth H. Extending tooth ll is, of course, useful for the same purpose when the device is employed with other rows of teeth H and I8 resting against the head. As will appear below, additional such extending teeth, supporting the shelf above them and guiding the blade, may be furnished if desired.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and l, the device there illustrated is a modification of the device shown in Fig. 1, intended primarily for very fine work, and is shown approximately twice normal size. In addition to the base Iii and shelf l5 there are additional shelves 22 and 23 each. with additional rows of teeth 24, 25, 26, and 21 thereon. Rows of teeth l8 and I9 lie in planes including respectively rows 24 and 26 and rows 25 and 2'5. Rows of teeth II and |2 have been omitted, however, and a single row of teeth 28 have been substituted therefor. Due to the small size of the device shown, this is a preferred manner of construction. Teeth 28 conveniently lie in a plane which is generally intermediate the outer planes, which again are spaced at the angle A with respect to each other.

The device shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is intended to be used in the same manner as the device shown in Fig. 1. Again extending teeth 29 are provided intermediate the ends of the rows of teeth to furnish additional support for the shelves and to prevent the descending blade from catching on teeth immediately below any one shelf.

Referring now to Figs. 5, 6, and '7, the device there shown is a further modification of Fig. 1 wherein the base H; has a first row of teeth 3| which has extended extreme teeth 32 and 33 which support a shelf member 34 between them, above the intermediate teeth 3!. Mounted on the edge of the shelf member 34 immediately above the teeth 3| is a second row of teeth 35 lying generally in the same plane as teeth 3|. The base It has also a second row of teeth 36, lying in a plane which makes an angle A with the plane containing teeth 3| and 35, similar to the angle A in Fig. 1, but extending from the base |t as far as the extremities of the teeth 35. The extreme teeth 3'! and 38 of the row of teeth 36 also furnish support for the shelf member 34. In between these extreme teeth 31 and 38, however, the shelf member 34 is cut away so that its width is less than that of the shelf IS in Fig. 1 for example. Two leg portions 39 and 48 are permitted to remain at the ends of the shelf 34 for connection to the long teeth 31 and 38 respectively. There is thus provided a space of substantial extent between the edge of shelf 34 confronting teeth 36 and the teeth 35. This appears most clearly in Fig. 6, which is greatly enlarged. The shelf 34 is conveniently extended to form a handle 4|, and it will be appreciated that this construction is alternative to the handle construction shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

The device of Fig. 5 is used like the devices of Figs. 1 and 3, but with the teeth 36 always placed next to the head. In this construction, short underhairs, which would normally lie on the shelf in the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 3, are permitted to assume their natural position and only the longest hairs which tend to extend through the teeth 35 rest on the shelf 34. In this manner, the longest hairs are more cleanly cut.

Referring now to Figs. 8, 9, and 10, a further modification or" the device of the invention is shown wherein two separable parts 45 and 46 are used to build up a multi-comb device generally similar to that shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Thus portion 45 has a first shelf 48' on the opposite long edges of which are two rows of teeth 49 and 5|). The extreme teeth 5| and 52 extend far beyond the teeth 49 of their row and support between them a second shelf 53. Along the opposite edges of the shelf 53 are mounted additional rows of teeth 54 and 55, lying in the same general planes as teeth 49 and 50 respectively. The upper shelf 53 is further supported by long teeth 58 and 51 which are the extreme teeth of row 50. Again intermediate teeth 58 of the rows 49 and extend to and support the shelf 53, and serve the same function as the intermediate tooth |6 in Fig. 1 for example. Here the extending intermediate teeth 58 are plural in number. The planes of teeth 49 and 54 and teeth at and again are non-parallel and have an angle A between them.

Depending from the lower shelf 42, at the extremities thereof, are two pins 6| and G2. The lower member 46 has a base 63 at the extremities of which are two sockets 64 and 63 which engage the pins |5| and 52 respectively. A shelf 66 is supported between the socket members 64 and spaced from but parallel to the base 63. A lower row of teeth 6'! is mounted upon the base 63 and an upper row of teeth 68 is mounted upon the shelf 66. The upper teeth 53 are generally trapezoidal in shape, with the long parallel edge at the top, to continue the general contour of the taper of the teeth of the upper member 45 of the device. The shape of the lower row of teeth 67 is such that the taper curves sharply at the bottom of the device, near the base 33. Thus, when the device is used, in the manner of the previously described devices, a taper is provided in which the hairs at the lowermost portion of the haircut can be trimmed very closely to the head and the hairs further up on the head are gradually made longer, in a most pleasing fashion. This permits an unskilled person to trim the sides of the head near the temple and immediately in front of the ears in a very professional manner. It will be appreciated that different members 45 and 45, having variously designed tapers, can be assembled to provide and contours of any desired kind. Conveniently base 48 of portion 45 is extended to form a handle member 10, and a cooperating handle member II is mounted on socket member 65.

Referring now to Figs. 11 and 12, the construction shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 19 is modified to provide a pin member 12 at each end of the base 63 and a socket member 13 depending from each end of the shelf 48, thus reversing the construction shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 10. As is shown in Fig. 11, shelf 65 is mounted on pin 12 at one end and at the other end on the second corresponding pin, which is not shown. As is shown in Fig. 12 the socket member '13 is apertured at T4 to permit passage over the shelf 66. Handle members '35 and it are respectively an extension of base 83 the pin 12, and an extension from the bottom of socket l3.

Referring now to Fig. 13 two base members and 8| are mounted at the ends of a spring 82 so that they are parallel to each other, but moveable to and from each other. An arcuate member 83 is mounted at one end on base 8| and extends at the other end 84 through a slot 85 in base 83. A plurality of holes 86 are provided in arcuate member 83 near the free end 84. A pin 81 fits snugly into one of the holes 86, and serves to retain the base members 80 and 8| in a predetermined spatial relation. A first row of comb teeth 83 is mounted on base member 80 and a second row of comb teeth 89 is mounted on base member 8|, these teeth extending generally in a vertical direction. The two rows of teeth 88 and 8%: lie in parallel planes. A shelf 9| is mounted on the base 85} and extends horizontally toward base 3 This shelf is irregular along the edge 92 confronting the base 8|. The irregularity is provided by cutting apertures or slots 93 therein. With this construction the hair can be cut to a predetermined length from the head, and in addition the hair can simultaneously be thinned because a predetermined fraction of the total amount of the hair which would normally rest upon the unslotted shelf is permitted to fall through the slots 93.

Referring now to Fig. 14 the bases 86 and SI there shown are adjustably supported with respect to each other, for example, like the bases BB and SI of Fig. 13. The row of teeth 95 moun ed on the base til however have extended extreme teeth at and 97, which support a horizontal shelf 98 intermediate their ends. A second row of teeth as is mounted on the edge of the shelf 98 immediately above the teeth s5 and these teeth lie generally in the same plane as teeth 95. A second shelf Ifill extends from the base 8!] parallel to the shelf 98, but is somewhat narrower. A third row of teeth it! is mounted on the other base 8!, and these teeth extend as far as the extreme teeth 9t and 91 on base There is thus furnished a device similar to that shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, with the additional feature that the space between the long teeth. MI and the shelf 98 is adjustable.

Referring now to Fig. the device there shown is further modified to provide simultaneous tapering and thinning. In this device the base 1% has irregular shelf members Hi6 and IE3! at different heights with respect to the lower edge Hi8 thereof. Mounted on these shelf members are comb teeth Hi9, III}, IIi, H2, etc. of various. lengths. At the ends of the base WE are mounted four long teeth H3, II4, H5, and H6. of which teeth IE6 and H3 lie in a first plane and teeth H4 and H5 lie in a second plane, the two planes being parallel to the base I65 and having an angle between them similar to the angle A in Fig. 1. At points intermediate their ends these long teeth support a second irregular shelf in, which is transversely divided into portions H8, IE9, I20, IZI, etc. Alternate portions are displaced with respect to each other in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the shelf I I l'. The successive portions H8, H9, I20, I2I, etc. are supported in this spaced-apart relation by teeth I23 which are mounted at their bases on the lower shelf portions H8, I etc. and support the upper portions Ill), IZI, etc. intermediate their ends. In this arrangement the hairs are cut at different lengths from the head, but the general tapered. effect is preserved. The ultimate result is a neatly tapered haircut without the sharp mat-like eifect which is commonly found in hair cuts given by the unskilled and non-professional. person.

The invention is further illustrated in Fig. 15 where a comb having but one plane is divided into a plurality of vertically spaced-apart rests useful for trimming short hairs such as those found at the back of the neck. Here a base I is provided with teeth its through which holes i2? are drilled. Rods 523, which may be flexiblewires, are supported in the holes I21, and provide rests upon which the short hairs may be disposed for cutting by a scissors or vertically descending razor blade. Fig. 17 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the rests I29 are molded integrally with the comb teeth I25.

In Fig. 18 the comb is shown with the base ltd curved somewhat and the teeth I3I and !32 alternating in length. The rests 133 and IM; are I also curved similar to the base 839. This device may be employed at the hairline at the back of the neck, cooperating, for example, with a neck guide I35, of which only a portion is shown, to effect a neat neck trim. A suitable neck guide for this purpose is shown, for example, in U. S. Patent No. 1,385,722, dated July 26, 1921.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many other and further embodiments of the invention are possible, and it is therefore intended that the claims which follow shall not be limited by the particular details of the embodiments herein shown and described but shall be limited only by the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A hair trimming device comprising in con1- bination a plurality of horizontally disposed rests adapted to hold hair for cutting by a vertically descending blade or the like, a row of generally vertically disposed comb teeth mounted on each rest, certain ones of the teeth of each row extending and being attached to the succeeding rest whereby to support said rests in vertically spaced-apart relation.

2. A hair trimming device according to claim 1 comprising an elongated base, a first row of comb teeth which all but a few are of a first length extending from said base and lying substantially in a first plane, a second substantially parallel row of comb teeth of a second length greater than said first length extending from said base and lying in a second plane making an acute angle with first plane, at least the extreme teeth of said first row extending substantially as long as the teeth of said second row, a secondary base member mounted on and extending between said extreme teeth across but spaced from the free ends of the teeth of said first row which have said first length, and a third row of comb teeth extending from said secondary base in generally the same direction as the teeth of said first row.

3. A hair trimming device as in claim. 2 wherein a substantially fiat shelf member lying in a third plane substantially parallel to said base and substantially perpendicular to the bisector of said acute angle is mounted on. said secondary base member and extends toward said second row of teeth.

4. A hair trimming device according to claim 1 embodying a plurality of flat elongated horizontally disposed shelves each having first and second long edges at opposite sides of a flat surface thereof, said shelves being arranged in a series of longitudinally disposed sections of which adjoining ones are mutually displaced in a direction perpendicular to said flat surface thereof, means supporting said sections in a spaced-apart relation, and a row of generally vertically directed comb teeth mounted on said shelves along said first long edges.

5. A hair trimming device according to claim 1 embodying a plurality of flat elongated horizontally disposed shelves each having first and second long edges at opposite sides of a flat surface thereof, said shelves being arranged in a series of longitudinally disposed sections of which adjoining ones are mutually displaced in a direction perpendicular to said flat surface thereof and first and second rows of generally vertically directed comb teeth mounted on said shelves along first and second edges respectively, the teeth at confronting corners of each two adjoining sections being affixed to both of said adjoining sections whereby to support said two adjoining sections in spaced-apart relation.

6. A hair trimming device according to claim 1 embodying an elongated horizontally disposed rest adapted to hold hair for cutting by a vertically descending blade or the like, said rest being transversely divided into sections and adjoining ones of said sections being mutually vertically displaced, a row of generally vertically directed comb teeth mounted along said rest, those teeth at confronting ends of adjoining sections being afiixed to both sections whereby to support said adjoining sections in spaced-apart relation.

7. A hair trimming device embodying a flat elongated horizontally disposed shelf having first and second substantially parallel long edges at opposite sides of a flat surface thereof, a first row of comb teeth lying in a first generally vertically disposed plane mounted on said shelf at said first long edge, a second row of comb teeth lying in a second generally vertically disposed plane mounted on said shelf at said second long edge, said first and second planes intersecting each other at an acute angle along a line substantially parallel to said long edges, a ge erally bar-like member disposed substantially parallel to said line, support means joining said shelf and said member, and a third row of comb teeth lying in a third generally vertically disposed plane mounted on said member.

8. A hair trimming device in accordance with claim '7 in which said support means comprises a pin and a socket mounted one on said shelf and one on said member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

